Taiwan Affairs Office: American vessels navigating through the Taiwan Straight is sending the wrong message to ‘Taiwan Independence’ [advocates]

国台办：美舰穿航台湾海峡的行为向“台独”传递错误信号

Xinhua

http://www.xinhuanet.com/2021-03/17/c_1127222759.htm
March 17, 2021

By Cha Wenye, Liu Huan, Chen Shu

Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded to an enquiry on March 17 by stating an American vessel’s navigation through the Taiwan Strait is sending the wrong message to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces, is intentionally interfering in, and worsening the situation in, the region, and is damaging and endangering peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We resolutely oppose this. We ask that the American side scrupulously abide by the One China principle and the rules set forth in the Three Joint Communiqués and handle issues related to Taiwan prudently. The People’s Liberation Army always maintains high levels of readiness and will be resolute in defending the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In the regular press briefing held on that day a reporter had mentioned the USS John Finn destroyer’s movements through the Taiwan Straight and asked Zhu what she thought about it. The above is Zhu’s reply.

A journalist mentioned that during the “2+2” foreign affairs/defence leader meeting between the United States and Japan, America’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken had stated that if mainland China used forceful means to harm Taiwan’s democracy, America will definitely strike back. The journalist asked Zhu for her response to this.

Zhu pointed out that our position is very clear - the Taiwan problem is a domestic issue for China and that they would not tolerate any outside interference. We encourage the American side to scupulously abide by the One China Principle and the rules set forth in the Three Joint Communiqués and handle issues related to Taiwan prudently.